Snowfall Expected to Begin Late December, Bringing a Winter Wonderland to the State

Shimla, December 26: The new year in Himachal Pradesh is likely to begin with a beautiful snowfall, as the Meteorological Department has forecasted heavy snow in the coming days across the state’s major hill stations, including Shimla, Manali, and other high-altitude regions. This snowfall is expected to be a major attraction for tourists who have planned their holidays in the snow-covered landscapes of Himachal Pradesh.

According to the latest weather forecast, light to moderate snowfall is anticipated in most high-altitude areas of the state from December 27 to 29. The plains are also likely to experience rain and thunderstorms during this period. A yellow alert has been issued for thunderstorm and lightning in certain areas on December 27. On December 29, the weather will remain inclement in the Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts, while the rest of the state will see clearer skies on December 30 and 31. However, snow and rain are expected to return on January 1, especially in the middle and high-altitude regions, which will likely increase the chill and enhance the beauty of hill stations like Shimla and Manali. Both Shimla and Manali have already witnessed snowfall twice this December.

Snowfall Disrupts Traffic, But Efforts Underway to Clear Roads

While the weather remains clear across the state on December 26, the effects of the previous snowfall are still being felt. The State Emergency Operations Center reported that three national highways and 157 roads remain completely blocked due to snow, some of which have been closed for the past four days. The most significant disruptions are in the higher areas of Shimla district, including Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rohru, Rampur, Chaupal, Kupvi, Kumarsain, and Dodra Kwar sub-divisions, where 72 roads are blocked. However, the main routes from Shimla to Rohru, Rampur, and Chaupal have been reopened.

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The snowfall in areas like Kufri, Fagu, and Narkanda has been so heavy that vehicle movement was entirely halted. Authorities have been working to clear the roads using soil to make travel possible, but slippery conditions have continued to challenge drivers. The affected roads include 36 in Lahaul-Spiti, 25 in Kullu, 10 in Mandi, six in Kangra, four in Kinnaur, three in Una, and one in Chamba. Major highways like NH-3 and NH-305 in Kullu, and NH-505 in Lahaul-Spiti, remain blocked. The Public Works Department teams are actively working to clear these roads.

Freezing Temperatures Across the State, Tabo Records the Coldest

The weather in Himachal Pradesh remains bitterly cold, with temperatures dipping below freezing in seven cities. Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the lowest temperature at -12.1°C, followed by Samdho at -8.5°C, Kukumseri at -7.8°C, and Manali at -1.8°C. Other areas such as Kalpa, Bhuntar, and Bajuara also experienced sub-zero temperatures. Shimla’s temperature was recorded at 4.8°C, while Sundernagar, Narkanda, and Sarahan saw slightly warmer temperatures around 0.1°C to 0.3°C. Despite the cold, the state’s picturesque winter scenes continue to attract tourists looking to experience the beauty of Himachal’s snowy landscapes.